Welcome to the Pride & Prejudice Book Club, where we discuss variations, alternate universes, and fan fiction versions of Jane Austen’s masterpiece Pride & Prej...
Book Clubbers, we have something special for you this week—our very first male author guest! We sit down with Timothy Bowden, author of Pride and Justice, a vigilante reimagining of Pride and Prejudice that asks: What if Elizabeth Bennet had a secret identity and took justice into her own hands?
Timothy shares how his background as a history teacher and love for superhero stories inspired his take on Austen’s classic, why power dynamics fascinate him, and how Pride and Prejudice fan culture was a world he didn’t even know existed when he started writing. We also dig into the philosophy behind vigilante justice, Elizabeth and Darcy’s differing views on power, and why Darcy’s snobbery extends beyond ballrooms to the crime-fighting world.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was 95% smarter and more grounded—this is the episode for you!
🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
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38:53
Pride and Justice - By Timothy Bowden
What if Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy weren’t just navigating balls and marriage proposals—but also serving as masked vigilantes, upholding justice in Regency England? Pride and Justice by Timothy Bowden takes Pride and Prejudice into the world of secret identities, moral dilemmas, and covert missions carried out in the name of honor.
While the premise might bring to mind the outlandishness of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, this book takes a much more thoughtful approach to its alternate history, with rich world-building that had Emilie completely hooked. Alicia had a hard time with depictions of violence, but couldn’t stop thinking about the deep philosophical questions the book raises: When is murder justified? Does the noble class have a higher moral duty, or is that just self-justification? And should we respect tradition—or challenge it?
Whether you’re here for the action, the moral questions, or just to imagine Mr. Darcy in a mask and cape, we’ve got plenty to discuss. Join us for a deep dive into this unique and compelling take on Austen’s world!
Talk at ya later!
🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
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47:06
Eligible - By Curtis Sittenfeld
Take Pride and Prejudice, set it in modern-day Cincinnati, throw in a reality dating show, and give the Bennet sisters some very 21st-century quirks, and you’ve got Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld’s contemporary retelling of Austen’s classic.
This week, we break down what Eligible gets right (Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s modern updates are particularly well done) and where it might miss the mark (cough Liz and Darcy’s chemistry). Plus, Alicia may not be a Bachelor fan, but that doesn’t mean she’s above a good reality TV binge—something we fully explore in a side tangent.
Was this a fresh, fun take or a meh, modern miss? Let’s discuss!
🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
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50:12
Author Interview: Jennifer Peel
Book Clubbers, this is the episode for all of you who love indie romance, Jane Austen, and a good author origin story! We got to sit down with one of Emilie's absolute favorite modern authors, Jennifer Peel, and let’s just say—this was a major fangirl moment. 🎉
Jennifer shares how her love for Pride and Prejudice began with a book club (ha!) and how it eventually lead her to write her own P&P-inspired book. She and Emilie swap thoughts on Austen adaptations, including the best Mr. Collins portrayals (Matt Smith in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies tops the list). But this conversation isn’t just about Jane—Jennifer opens up about her writing journey, starting a little before age 40, and how she still gets nervous every time she publishes a book!
We also dive into the world of indie publishing, with Jennifer discussing her ambitious publishing schedule (four books a year!), how she engages with readers, and why she loves writing second-chance romance. Plus, she spills details on an upcoming Persuasion variation she's planning to write.
If you’re a fan of modern romance, self-published success stories, or just love hearing authors geek out over Jane Austen, you won’t want to miss this episode!
🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
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41:05
Without Pride and Prejudice - By Jennifer Peel
What happens when a die-hard Pride and Prejudice fan finds herself in a very Darcy-and-Elizabeth-esque romance? That’s exactly what Jennifer Peel explores in Without Pride and Prejudice, a charming contemporary love story that manages to honor Austen’s classic without simply rehashing it.
This week, Emilie could not contain her excitement—she’s been a longtime fan of Jennifer Peel’s rom-coms, so seeing her take on P&P was a dream come true! And the best part? The book actually respects Monroe’s Austen obsession, rather than making her conveniently forget the original plot so she can relive it herself. (Finally!)
Alicia, meanwhile, found it sweet, fun, and bingeable in one sitting—high praise indeed! So, does this book strike the perfect balance between Austen love and originality? Let’s discuss.
🎧 Grab your tea (or wine) and join us!
Talk at ya later!
🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
Welcome to the Pride & Prejudice Book Club, where we discuss variations, alternate universes, and fan fiction versions of Jane Austen’s masterpiece Pride & Prejudice! Enjoy a new book (and discussion) every week. Spoiler warning: this is a book club, so we’re going to assume that you’ve read the book....
Ireland